Lauderdale lists who makes what

March 30, 2008|By Brittany Wallman Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE — Taxpayers are writing the checks every year for the city's payroll. Now they can see how much they're shelling out, down to the dollar.

The annual list of the "100 Highest Paid Employees," and an accompanying Top 300 compensation list, has been released by the city of Fort Lauderdale. Financial stuff that's private in the corporate world is everybody's business in the public sector, thanks to Florida's public records laws.

At the top of the list just released, which marks compensation as of Dec. 31, 2007, is not the top employee. The city's highest ranking employee, City Manager George Gretsas, again ranks second in terms of pay and benefits, with $315,310 in total compensation, including a check for $60,266 into his retirement fund.

Who's No. 1? Harry Stewart, the city attorney, who pulls in a base pay of $243,235, plus $4,224 in longevity pay and $8,609 in car allowance. On top of that are his benefits, including a payment of $73,009 into his pension. Total package: $348,016.

The list comes out this year as the police and fire unions negotiate for job contracts, some six months after their last contracts expired. Other than top officials and people with "manager," "director" or "chief" next to their name, the Top 300 list is almost completely filled by police and fire officials, as in prior years.

The Top 300 list gives a peek at overtime pay, which can catapult employees into much higher incomes. The employee who soared the most on overtime was Edward Jackson, a police officer who was the only rank-and-file employee to break into the top 20. He was in 272nd place, until his $77,498 in overtime was accounted for. Now he's No. 12.

The Top 100 list gives a taste of what pensions cost taxpayers. For example, No. 50, Timothy Blank, makes a $102,669 salary, and the city pays $48,717 into his pension.

Mayor Jim Naugle started the tradition of the annual list when he took office more than 20 years ago. Naugle didn't make the list. As mayor, he makes $41,000.